Library circulation desk
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A Library Circulation desk or loans desk, usually found near the main entrance of a library, provides check-out and sometimes check-in services to library patrons.
Renewal of materials and payment of fines are also handled at the circulation desk. Circulation staff may provide basic search and reference services, though more in-depth questions are usually referred to the reference librarians at the information desk. The circulation desk is in most cases staffed by library aides instead of professional librarians.
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[edit] Checking out
Many items can be checked out by a computer and do not require any paperwork. But the circulation desk to provide checking out services for items such as as uncataloged items & periodical issues, government documents, maps, and microforms. These checkouts are done by the circulation desk staff. The number of books that library patrons can take out varies from library to library.
[edit] Checking in
Returned library items are processed by the circulation desk. They usually scan the barcode to identify the item and also de-magnetize the item and dispatch the item on to the shelves.
[edit] Document Delivery
The circulation desk also liaises with library patrons in delivering electronic articles and documents.
[edit] Reserve
The circulation desk can also look after the reserve section such as past exam papers and unit materials.
[edit] Infringement Processing
The payment of infringements for late, lost book charges and overdue items are processed by the circulation desk. They can also lift restrictions for library patrons once the fines have been paid.
[edit] Shelving
The circulation desk also handles the shelving of items used from the Reserve section and also the reference section.
[edit] Lost and Found
Some circulation desk also provide a lost and found service. This includes commonly found items such as library cards, laptops, wallets, computer media and portable devices.
